Another Champion Display At Ascot From Frankel’s Cracksman

[Wandering Eyes]

Putting all doubts aside, Anthony Oppenheimer’s Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) capped a memorable afternoon for John Gosden when powering to a six-length success in the feature G1 Qipco Champion S. Much more alert and on the ball in first-time blinkers than he had been on the last two occasions, the long-absent defending title-holder was restrained by Frankie Dettori to race in fourth after looking as if he could have led from the break. Set alight on the home turn, the 5-6 favourite responded with a surge his sire would have been proud of to instantly settle the issue. From the two-furlong pole, it was a victory lap and his rider had time to raise his whip in salute in the final yards as he slammed Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) by six lengths, with the 66-1 shot Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal) 3/4 of a length away in third. “He’s a hugely talented horse who won the Ganay in explosive style and I don’t think he was quite the same after that–things were bothering him,” his trainer said after completing a trio of wins in four of the main races on the day. “He’s a mighty impressive horse and I’ve had a lot of luck using blinkers–the great Secretariat and Northern Dancer raced in them–and sometimes they are needed to focus their minds. When he’s in the zone, he’s a very good horse and he’s Frankel’s best son. He’s shown what he is–a high-class horse and full marks to the staff at home.”

1–CRACKSMAN (GB), 131, c, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Rhadegunda (GB) (SP-Fr), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: St Radegund (GB), by Green Desert
3rd Dam: On the House (GB), by Be My Guest
O-A E Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Studs (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £737,230. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 11-8-2-1, $2,793,064. *1/2 to Fantastic Moon (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), GSW-Eng.

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